74-gun ship by Gaetan Bordeleau - 1:24

[SJSoane]

Gaetan, it is looking very nice!

 

Mark

[michael mott]

That last picture really shows the value of good photographic skill. and the model looks pretty good too.... wonderful work Gaetan.

 

michael

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

Thank you,

 

Michael,

In photography, we try to learn to use the light at his best but the perfect light is not necessarily always the best light.

Learning to use less light can creates a more dramatic effect.

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

Today I did some other test in macrophotography with telephoto zoom lenses and 1 spotting scope. The subject is a Canadian 2 dollars photographed at 2,5 meters. The main objective was to see what happens with  two 2X Canon extender behind a lens.

 

Test are done with : -200, 300, 600mm lens alone, with one 2X and 2  2X

                                       -20- 60X 65mm spotting scope alone and with one 2X

 

Ratio looks like OK but there is a difference between lens and spotting scope.

Lens 2400mm look like smaller than spotting scope at 1500mm. I do not know how they did the conversion in mm with the spotting scope.

 

600mm lens is from Sigma, and extender are from Canon. I did not buy a teleconverter from Sigma because it is not clear if it will works; but with a teleconverter from Canon it does work, but nobody wants to tell you this. All the lens have a good autofocus with 1 extender but it is not very good with 2. If autofocus is done when with 1 teleconverter, adding the second one does not disturb the autofocus.

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

OK, I did corrections with the help of the Naturalist market manager from Swaroski Optics which is actually in Costa Rica.

 

Ratio from the spotting scope are even higher than previously and photos have been rearranged by lens size.

 

 As we can see, the difference between a Telephoto of 200 mm  and a spotting scope can be quite big!

[SJSoane]

Hi Gaetan,

 

That is quite impressive a range. It is hard to see if the extenders degraded the image in comparison to the lens by itself, or compared to a greater telephoto lens. Do you have a recommendation on the best quality?

 

Mark

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

 

Hi Mark,

 

All the extenders do not perform the same way. Some  will not include all the functions.

I use two Canon extender 2X, one version II and one version III because I can stack both together. At the opposite, I could not stack  two version III together.

 

As an example Sigma lens 600mm with Sigma extender will lose autofocus.

But Sigma 600mm + Canon extender; autofocus will be working. The only way to know this, is to try it, it is not written anywhere.

 

The main degradation when you use an extender is that you will loose 2 F stop with each extender, the quality of the photo will still be very good. If you use one extender, no function will be lose, if you use two 2X extender, Auto focus will not be working 100%.

 

By using  an extender, I can get 1200mm 2 ways : 300mm + 2 extender or 600mm + 1 extender. The main reason to use extender is the cost :

Sigma 600mm + two 2X extender :  $1800

Canon 1200mm : $180000. Of course, glasses will be better quality, but I cannot afford that quality!

 

Gaetan

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

My experiences are not finished yet, I pushed the limit by adding two 2X extender in the spotting scope assembly.

 

Installation of the first molding

 

The position of the top frames will be final. All the frames are now glued together as a whole,  even if before, many were not glued together by the top spacers. I think I gave the frames enough time to stabilize, with also the stability of the humidity before the spring begins, not really began here, it was minus 15 this morning.

 

The blade profile exist simply because I did it few years ago. The idea for the holder is that it can be hold by both hand. It runs on the top of the plank as in second picture. In fact, I used my biggest vice on the height table. The vice is a secure method to hold the plank. When the molding is done, then the width is cut on the saw.

 

Before the installation of the moldings, a batten was installed as a guide as we have in many other modeler, just like Mark. Even if the line was already traced, the beauty of this batten is that it can be adjusted more precisely before simply because the batten is not glued. Also the batten is in one piece only to assure a smoother curve. Another advantage, the curve is easier to follow with the molding because it can  rest on a existing curve well fixed with clamps. The laser line is also very helpfull it helps to see the regularity of the curve, ad ecerything can be corrected before all is glued. It is much more difficult to install the molding with the correct curve without a guide.

[SJSoane]

Hi Gaetan,

 

I see online that the $180,000 for the Canon 1200mm lens is for a used lens. I wonder what kind of a sailboat we could get for $180,000...

 

I agree on the exceptional value of a batten for aligning planking. I got the idea from Gary shipwright after looking at his successful wales installation. And I can see now from him and from you the value of the batten for important pieces like the mouldings and the channel wales.

 

Mark

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

Some steps in window framing  with tools used.

 

Beginning the planking, sorting carefully the cherry wood is important.

 

Example of a plank which would be a very bad choice.

[Hubac's Historian]

I love all of it - outstanding!!  The sense of scale is awe-inspiring!

Edited May 6, 2018 by Hubac'sHistorian

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

Here is a part of the set up;

 

Each model is set with his own light

 

Neon lights are then turned off

 

The $20 led light from Ikea is still used plenty for light adjustment

[alde]

You sir, do some amazing work.

[Sailor1234567890]

Where does a single individual find the time to build even one model like this? And you've built many. Excellent work. 

[Jack H]

wow! Museum excellent ship model!

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

Thank you for your comments.

 

Another part of the set up, one light is use only. the last model where I used exotic woods. Bocote was used for the planking, the color was superb, the smell was enchanting, the price was very high.

 

I remember few years ago when I first tried to use cherry wood, it was quite a challenge.

Today, when I see the results, I am very happy to have tried this road. Color is very hot. This wood has few faces. There is only one which should not be use especially for the planking as shown in one of the last post.

 

Since that 74 guns, I learned to use this cherry wood and now I only use this wood. We can say there in a simple way that there are 2 ways to represent a model ship : 1 color monochromatic  or more than one. Both methods have their own charms. As many subjects, in model ship fabrication, there is no right or wrong, it is just a matter of personal preference.

[cog]

39 minutes ago, Gaetan Bordeleau said:

As many subjects, in model ship fabrication, there is no right or wrong, it is just a matter of personal preference.

 

Hear, hear ...

 

I do, however, have to agree with you on the cherry wood

[Mike Y]

The group photo of all models lined up in one room - really looks like a future museum opening

Excellent lighting and photos!

[Kurt Johnson]

I love the Pelican! Is St. Peter guarding the door to your shop? That’s definitely heaven.

 

Kurt

[Jeronimo]

Hello Gaetan.

 

Beautiful work.

 

Karl

 

 

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

 

Thank you for the likes.

Be reassured, I will not do a setup every day! 

Today I used a flashlight; 1000 lumens. Power is not the most important factor to take picture. 
Nature of the source is; in this case LED, which will be closer to daylight, meaning more natural color.

Today I chose a model 100% cherry wood to show the color… that I like.

[Landlocked123]

Gaetan- Both the photography and carving are beautiful.  How did you learn to do the carving and what type of tools do you use?

 

Best regards,

John

[alde]

I was also wondering about the tools you use to do that amazing carving. It's absolutely beautiful. 

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

 http://www.gessweincanada.com/category-s/10519.htm

[alde]

Thanks for the info Gaetan. I got a good deal a while ago on an Emesco dental engine and a big variety of burs but have not tried using it yet. Your beautiful work gives me insensitive to try it out.

Edited May 13, 2018 by alde

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

Alde, you must try it, you will be surprise of what you can do!

[alde]

58 minutes ago, Gaetan Bordeleau said:

Alde, you must try it, you will be surprise of what you can do!

Thank you, I will. Maybe this week I'll try something.

[Landlocked123]

Thanks Gaetan,

 

i alreaady have a Foredom machine (although it is a flex-shaft).  I also have a very nice comfortable quick change hand piece.  I guess all I need is some practice and a few more bits.  Thanks.

 

best,

John

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

John, remember the smallest carving of the figurehead at 1/192... it was carved with:  Foredom engine/ flex-shaft/ dental handpiece.

Yes, you are absolutely right;  practice  is the key!

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

MINERVA CONFRONTING SATURN

 1785, in a French Arsenal, a navy board ship of 74 guns is just completed at the scale of 1/24. It will be use as a model for the naval instruction for the officers. The model was installed in a room the room with few paintings hanging on the walls. One of the painting is the allegory of Saturn, Conquered by Amor, Venus and Hope, painted by Simon Vouet 140 years earlier.

Of course nothing of that is true, but if I could build a model for Naval Instruction, I probably could do some paintings too, and give a new title to that painting : Minerva confronting Saturn.